Hop Butcher The Jewels 4Pk

Hop Butcher The Jewels 4Pk is a 7.5% ABV Double India Pale Ale from Chicago's Hop Butcher for the World, sold as a four-pack of 16oz cans. This expression earned a 97-point score in a blind taste test conducted by BJCP-certified judges for Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine, placing it among the highest-rated DIPAs in the Midwest haze scene.

Quick Facts: ABV: 7.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Double IPA  |  Brewery: Hop Butcher for the World

Production & Heritage

Hop Butcher for the World operates out of Chicago, Illinois, and has built a devoted following through an aggressive rotation of hop-forward releases. The Jewels is brewed with a two-hop bill of Mosaic and Vic Secret, fermented with London 3 yeast — an English ale strain known for producing a soft, round mouthfeel that lets hop character dominate. The inclusion of Vic Secret is a deliberate departure from more conventional American DIPA builds; this Australian hop contributes unexpected layers of herbs, cucumber, and even faint coconut alongside its tropical core, giving The Jewels a complexity that sets it apart from single-dimension juice bombs.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Grapefruit peel and pineapple hit first, followed by a resinous pine note and a softer undercurrent of ripe mango. There is a subtle dankness underneath that signals the Vic Secret influence.

Taste: The entry is lush and juice-forward — orange and papaya dominate the first impression. At mid-palate, the mango and grapefruit intensify while a bready malt backbone provides just enough structure to keep things grounded. The hop bitterness builds gradually, introducing piney resin and a tangy citrus edge toward the peak.

Finish: Medium in length with a satisfyingly dry and tangy exit. Lingering grapefruit rind and a faint herbal bitterness close things out cleanly, encouraging the next sip.

How to Drink The Jewels

Pour cold into a tulip glass or wide-mouth IPA glass to capture the full aromatic profile; this beer rewards attention to aroma and is best consumed fresh. A Michelada variation works well here — the citrus-forward hop character pairs naturally with lime and hot sauce. A Beer-a-Rita built with The Jewels, fresh grapefruit juice, and a salted rim plays directly into the beer's citrus strengths. For a simple shandy-style serve, try a Radler with fresh lemonade to amplify the tropical brightness on a warm day.

Best For

• Sharing with fellow hop enthusiasts at a weekend cookout
• Gifting to a craft beer collector who follows limited Chicago releases
• Pairing alongside a taco spread or Southeast Asian takeout night
• Stocking for blind tastings comparing top-tier Midwest DIPAs

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Jewels taste like? The Jewels delivers a juice-heavy tropical profile dominated by grapefruit, mango, pineapple, and papaya, supported by bready malt and a dry, piney finish. The mouthfeel is creamy and medium-bodied with moderate carbonation.

How does The Jewels compare to Phase Three DDH Nonbinary Code? Both are Midwest-brewed Double IPAs with lush tropical profiles, and side-by-side reviewers have described them as "quite similar," with some giving a slight edge to Hop Butcher's version. The Jewels leans more heavily on the herbal and piney dimensions contributed by Vic Secret, while Phase Three's expression tends toward a denser, more saturated hop saturation from its dry-hop process.

Is The Jewels good for sipping on its own? Yes — the balance between juicy hop character, moderate 7.5% ABV, and a dry finish makes it highly drinkable as a standalone pour, especially when served cold in a proper glass.

Where is The Jewels made? The Jewels is brewed by Hop Butcher for the World in Chicago, Illinois, a brewery known for its rotating roster of hop-centric ales distributed primarily throughout the Chicago metro area and broader Midwest.

What foods pair well with The Jewels? Fish tacos with mango salsa mirror the beer's tropical fruit notes. Thai green curry complements the herbal Vic Secret hop character. Grilled shrimp with citrus glaze echoes the grapefruit and pineapple. A sharp aged cheddar provides a savory counterpoint to the hop bitterness. Coconut-crusted chicken picks up on the subtle coconut nuances from the Vic Secret hops.

What sizes does The Jewels come in? The Jewels is available as a four-pack of 16oz cans, the standard release format for Hop Butcher for the World.

Is The Jewels worth the price? The Jewels positions as a premium craft DIPA, and its 97-point score from Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine alongside a BeerAdvocate rating of 92 suggests strong value relative to other limited-release Double IPAs in the same tier.

Why The Jewels?

A 97-point blind-tasting score from BJCP judges is not easily earned, and it places The Jewels in rare company among American Double IPAs. The Mosaic and Vic Secret hop combination delivers a tropical profile with genuine complexity — herbal, piney, and faintly coconut-tinged layers that reward close attention rather than fading into generic juiciness. London 3 yeast gives the body a creamy, pillowy quality without tipping into sweetness, and the dry finish keeps the 7.5% ABV remarkably sessionable for the style. For anyone tracking Chicago's competitive craft scene, this is one of the releases that earned Hop Butcher its reputation.